BREAKING NEWS

Brandt Snedeker has withdrawn from the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola officials confirmed this morning on the Gold Coast.

Brian Thorburn, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA of Australia, announced the World Number 9’s withdrawal this morning, confirming that Snedeker did not board his flight from Shanghai on Monday after suffering a knee injury.

“The most important thing is of course Brandt’s health,” said Thorburn.

“Brandt is a player who is held in very high regard wherever he goes and while we’re obviously disappointed he won’t be playing this week, our thoughts are with him and we wish him a speedy recovery.”

Brandt was due to land in Brisbane around lunch time today after playing the HSBC Champions tournament in China.

Brandt’s Manager, Jimmy Johnson, was already on route to the tournament at the time of Brandt’s withdrawal and will head back to the US in the next few days.

Thorburn said while Brandt will certainly be missed, he was looking forward to the tournament getting underway on the Gold Coast from Thursday.

“Ticket sales are up, the course is looking great and we’re expecting the Gold Coast fans to head out here to RACV Royal Pines in their thousands,” said Thorburn.

“This is the first major PGA tournament to be played on the Gold Coast is over ten years and all the signs are already pointing to a long and successful relationship for this event with the Gold Coast community.”

While the tournament doesn’t tee off until Thursday morning, the action is already underway around the course with the majority of players already on site including Adam Scott.

Scott will make his first public appearance at tonight’s Dinner with the Stars, with the tournament abuzz with the question: is this the day that the green jacket will make its first appearance in Australia?